Enfield Council has rejected a motion calling for the legal recognition of nature's rights, a move described by proponents as a Green Magna Carta
for the UK.
The motion, put forward by Councillor Laura Davenport, sought to urge the council leader to write to local MPs asking for their support for the UK Nature's Rights Bill. This bill proposes recognising nature as a legal subject with rights and establishing a duty of care towards it. Under the proposed legislation, nature would possess specific legal rights, and an Integrated Rights Framework would be created where nature's rights are foundational to human rights, public wellbeing, and economic activity. The bill includes practical mechanisms such as duties, Rights Impact Assessments, and bioregional governance bodies for cross-sectoral implementation and enforcement.
During the council meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, councillors debated the motion. Supporters highlighted the critical role of biodiversity in supporting life on Earth and the increasing impacts of nature breakdown, such as flooding and extreme heat, on local communities.
However, the motion was ultimately defeated. Councillor Alessandro Georgiou, Leader of the Council, stated that while the administration is committed to protecting the environment, the current bill's approach was not the right way forward. He proposed working with Councillor Davenport to draft a letter expressing support for the principles of preserving and protecting nature. The administration's focus remains on protecting the Greenbelt, parks, and nature through existing tools like the Environment Act and Biodiversity Gain, rather than endorsing the specific legislative approach of the Nature's Rights Bill.
Councillor Ian Barnes, speaking for the opposition, indicated that his group would abstain. He stated that while they support environmental ambitions, the bill requires further scrutiny regarding its implications for planning, how nature's rights would be balanced against those of residents, businesses, and landowners, and who would represent nature's rights in cases of conflict. He stressed these are arguments for understanding the legislation before endorsing it, not arguments against protecting nature. He also expressed frustration that environmental principles were not always matched by environmental action.
Councillor Sarah Jons, speaking for the Green Party, supported the motion, emphasizing the long-term responsibility to future generations and the need to challenge the current legal framework that treats nature as property. She noted that the UK Nature's Rights Bill had passed its second reading in the House of Lords on July 3rd and is currently awaiting committee stage.
Despite the defeat of the motion, the council's adopted Council Plan 2026-2030, Delivering for Enfield,
includes commitments to a Greener Enfield.
This involves protecting and enhancing green belt land, delivering improvements to urban green spaces, restoring farmland into publicly accessible nature spaces, protecting the environment through enforcement action, improving air quality, and implementing flood risk management programmes. While these actions align with the general principle of protecting nature, the Council Plan does not explicitly adopt the principles of the Nature's Rights Bill, such as recognizing nature as a legal subject with rights.
For more information on the council meeting, please refer to the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack.